The four key players in digital forensics software: Guidance, AccessData, Paraben and Technology Pathways Digital forensics software can help preserve and examine data needed in investigations and litigation.For expert advice on evaluating, implementing and using digital forensics, see the companion article Rules of Evidence—Digital Forensics Tools.Here’s a look at the leaders in the market.Guidance Software’s EnCase Considered the Cadillac of digital forensics tools, EnCase is the clear market leader in digital forensics, with 26,000 users of its single-workstation version and over 300 users of EnCase Enterprise, which works over the network. While widely accepted, it has also been criticized for being unintuitive and complex. The latest version adds a full-text indexing engine, a native file viewer and expanded e-mail support. EnCase is more expensive than other options, starting at $25,000. AccessData’s Forensics Toolkit With its release in January 2008 of an enterprise version, AccessData is looking to directly compete with Guidance, with the claim of being easier to learn and use, especially with the help of wizards for data acquisition, filtering, case management and reporting. AD Enterprise contains all the capabilities of its single-workstation product FTK 2.0, but it adds an Oracle back end, allowing for advanced data correlation and reporting. Paraben Corp. P2Paraben provides single-workstation toolkits, as well as a suite that enables remote monitoring over the network. Although it has an extensive tool suite, it has not caught on in the industry as well as the EnCase and AccessData products. Its major distinction is its support for handhelds (PDAs running the Palm OS, Windows CE/Pocket PC/Mobile 4.x, BlackBerry and Symbian) as well as cell phones and global positioning system devices. Technology Pathways’ ProDiscover Technology Pathways was one of the first to offer a remote forensics capability, but according to users, the tool does not scale as well as AccessData and Encase. Users call ProDiscover a powerful evidence-collecting toolset, but other suites offer a fuller set of capabilities outside of investigate inquiries, such as HR compliance reviews. Related content news UK Cyber Security Council CEO reflects on a year of progress Professor Simon Hepburn sits down with broadcaster ITN to discuss Council’s work around cybersecurity professional standards, careers and learning, and outreach and diversity. By Michael Hill Sep 27, 2023 3 mins Government Government Government news FIDO Alliance certifies security of edge nodes, IoT devices Certification demonstrates that products are at low risk of cyberthreats and will interoperate securely. By Michael Hill Sep 27, 2023 3 mins Certifications Internet Security Security Hardware news analysis Web app, API attacks surge as cybercriminals target financial services The financial services sector has also experienced an increase in Layer 3 and Layer 4 DDoS attacks. By Michael Hill Sep 27, 2023 6 mins Financial Services Industry Cyberattacks Application Security news Immersive Labs adds custom 'workforce exercising' for each organizational role With the new workforce exercising capability, CISOs will be able to see each role’s cybersecurity readiness, risk areas, and exercise progress. By Shweta Sharma Sep 27, 2023 3 mins Security Software Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe